The event, sponsored by Feed Your Soul, is not just a fun and intense competition where the chefs are subjected to judges’ instant opinion, but it really helps to reacquaint people with the great local chefs here in town who are, for the most part, owner-operators. It helps promote the small farms and artisanal food manufacturers who are popping up throughout WNY, and shows that we’ve got some brilliant and innovative chefs here.

Season Two of Nickel City Chef kicks off in just a couple of weeks, and tickets go on sale today. Last year’s competitions sold out within hours, so get your tickets fast.